Programs and Awards

The life of the honor society is carried on mainly at the chapter level with coordination
by the National Office. Pi Sigma Alpha seeks to promote excellence in the study of
political science through a variety of programs, some of direct benefit to student
members and local chapters and others targeted more generally at the profession of
political science. The programs especially for chapters and student members are:

Chapter Activity Grants Competition, which gives chapters an opportunity to win grants
for projects they might not otherwise be able to afford, and gives students excellent
experience in writing proposals and budgets, carrying out funded activities, and writing
reports. The program announcement goes out in the fall of each year with a late November
deadline; the awards committee meets in early December and announces grants immediately
thereafter.

Best Paper Awards for Graduate and Undergraduate Students, for which each chapter
advisor may nominate one undergraduate and one graduate student paper per year. Nominations
are due on June 1; winners are announced by July 15. The cash awards amount to $250
each for the best graduate and undergraduate student papers, and $100 apiece for runners-up.

Best Advisor Awards, to honor long-serving chapter advisors whose contribution to
his or her chapter has been outstanding. Nominations must come from department chairs
by June 1, with the winner announced by July 15. Three awards are made each year,
and each award is $1,000.

Best Chapter Awards, are cash awards of $250 to one or two chapters in each of three
college enrollment categories. The selection is based on chapters' annual reports
to the National Office, and other evidence of extraordinary levels of activity. The
winning chapters may use the prizes for any activity they wish. APSA Student Membership
Awards. Each chapter is entitled to award a one-year student membership in the American
Political Science Association to one outstanding student each year. Chapters need
only identify the student to the National Office for the membership to be instated.